Biosimilar epoetin alfa increases haemoglobin levels and brings cognitive and socio-relational benefits to elderly transfusion-dependent multiple myeloma patients: results from a pilot study

AbstractAnaemia is a complication reported in up to 70% of the multiple myeloma patients (MM), with remarkable clinical, cognitive and socio-relational consequences. Anaemia relates to the course of MM, normalizing in patients during remission and reappearing in relapsing/non-responding patients. In a pilot study with 31 patients with MM and transfusion-dependent anaemia, we evaluated the effects of Binocrit (biosimilar epoetin alfa) on transfusions, haemoglobin levels, mental status (mini-mental state evaluation) and the patients ’ social-relational functioning and quality of life (QoL). Within a 12-week interval, patients received 40.000 U Binocrit once a week. Binocrit significantly decreased the incidence of transfusion, regardless of the patients’ transfusion history, and significantly increased haemoglobin levels ( before-and-after-treatment median haemoglobin values = 8.20 vs. 9.40 g/dl, respectively; WilcoxonZ test,p <  .001). A comparatively greater increment in haemoglobin levels among patients who responded to first vs. additional lines of chemotherapy was also observed. Importantly, we additionally found moderate-to-strong positive associations between increments in haemoglobin levels and corresponding increm ents both in psychological well-being and QoL (FACT-An scores) and the patients’ cognitive status (mini-mental state evaluation scores). After statistically controlling for possible concurrent benefits of anti-myeloma therapy, increments in haemo...
Source: Annals of Hematology - Category: Hematology Source Type: research